From towers to trenches, we remember them…
Many ringers from the North Bucks Branch served and fought in the First World War, lots of them thankfully returned home and continued their ringing into old age, but not all.
During the next three years we will be remembering each of the soldiers that did not return at branch events. To find out more click on the commemoration event against each name.
In the meantime why not have a look at the life stories of each of our fallen ringers by clicking on their name.
| Name | Tower | Died | Remembered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr F C Andrews | Clifton Reynes | 14 March 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr A W Wright | Chicheley | 28 April 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr F Rainbow | Maids Moreton | 4 May 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr C A Howe (3) | Linslade | 29 May 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr E J Webb (2) | Maids Moreton | 15 August 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr W G Spires | Bradwell | 25 September 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr A J Fennemore | Leckhampstead | 25 September 1915 | Commemoration |
| Mr A Robinson | Olney | 28 June 1916 | |
| Mr A W Jones | Maids Moreton | 2 July 1916 | |
| Mr F T Willis (2) | Hanslope | 19 July 1916 | |
| Mr G R Brown | Chicheley | 31 July 1916 | |
| Mr W G Jones | Maids Moreton | 23 August 1916 | |
| Mr F E Garner | Stony Stratford | 18 October 1916 | |
| Mr R J Seddon (3) | Linslade | 16 November 1916 | |
| Mr L Meager | Bletchley | 28 September 1917 | |
| Mr W Dickenson (3) | Linslade | 3 October 1917 | |
| Mr W G Bird | Bradwell | 30 June 1918 | |
| Mr E T Needle (2) | Chicheley | 2 September 1918 | |
| Mr T Jones | Maids Moreton | 4 September1918 | |
| Mr W R Watson (3) | Linslade | 7 October 1918 | |
| Mr E W Leonard | Bletchley | 30 October 1918 | |
| Mr E T Neal (1) | Beachampton | ||
| Mr E Price (1) | Chicheley |
(1) We have been unable to find any further information about these ringers.
(2) The names of these ringers have not been found on the Great War Memorial Book of Church Bell-Ringers under the Oxford Diocese.
(3) The Church at Linslade has been part of the Central Bucks Branch since the 1970s however prior to that it was part of the North Bucks Branch.
About our research…
At a committee meeting of the ODG in 2013 branches were asked to provide assistance to the Central Council who was pulling together information about the lives of those members who were commemorated in the Great War Memorial Book of Church Bell Ringers as well as others who may not be recorded within the memorial.
Using this is as our source we have searched through our archives, census records, war records and have appealed for information. This has enabled us to pull together the life stories of some of our ringers. In some cases we have managed to get in touch with relatives who have kindly provided photographs.
We have contributed some information to the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War digital project. This project is described by the IWM as an innovative, interactive platform which brings material from museums, libraries, archives and family collections from across the world together in one place, inspiring people of all ages to explore, reveal and share the life stories of those who served in uniform and worked on the home front.
Our archives show that the matter of commemorating those who lost their lives was discussed at the AGM 1st June 1918 “Mr Vickers asked if anything was going to be done as regards a memorial for those fallen from this branch. The secretary replied that the matter was under consideration by the Guild Committee and that what as definitely decided upon he would let the Branch know.” The minutes of the AGM 7th June 1919 provide a short update “The Master addressed the meeting giving details of the arrangements if the Annual Festival which was to be held in Oxford in July, he also referred to the War Memorial and “Roll of Honour”. Presumably the branch provided the list of names that are contained within the Great War Memorial Book of Church Bell-Ringers.